42 THE SCHOOL BOOK OF FORESTRY 



The cedar trees, which are landmarks in many 

 of our northern states, yield light, soft, durable 

 wood that is useful in making poles, fence posts, 

 lead pencils and cedar chests. The wood of the 

 red cedar gives off a peculiar odor which is said 

 to keep moths away from clothes stored in cedar 

 chests, but it is the close construction of the chest 

 which keeps them out. These trees are be- 

 coming scarce in all parts of the country. Cedars 

 generally are small trees that grow slowly and 

 live a long time. The outside wood is white and 

 the heartwood is red or yellow. Cedar posts last a 

 long time and are excellent for use in farm fences. 



Chestnut blight, which destroys entire forests 

 of chestnut timber, is gradually exhausting our 

 supplies of this wood. Chestnut timber has long 

 been used for railroad ties, fence posts and in the 

 manufacture of cheap furniture. The wood is 

 soft and brown in color. The bark and wood are 

 treated at special plants in such a way that an 

 extract which is valuable for tanning leather 

 is obtained. Chestnut trees are upstanding, 

 straight trees that tower 80 to 100 feet above the 

 ground. The extinction of our chestnut forests 

 threatens as no effectual control measures for 



